Transaction card with partial glass layer
A transaction card having a partial glass layer including an interior glass member connected to a non-glass frame. The frame defines opposite planar surfaces, has an outer periphery coextensive with the outer periphery of the card, and has a frame inner periphery spaced radially inward from the frame outer periphery. The frame inner periphery defines an interior area occupied by the glass member. The transaction card further includes at least one additional layer having a periphery coextensive with the periphery of the card, and a payment module configured for contactless operation or dual interface contact/contactless operation.
1 . A transaction card, the transaction card having lateral dimensions that define an outer periphery and an area, the transaction card comprising:
a partial glass layer comprising an interior glass member connected to a non-glass frame, the frame defining opposite planar surfaces, a frame outer periphery coextensive with the outer periphery of the card, and a frame inner periphery spaced radially inward from the frame outer periphery, the frame inner periphery defining an interior area occupied by the glass member;
at least one additional layer having a periphery coextensive with the periphery of the card; and
a payment module configured for contactless operation or dual interface contact/contactless operation.
2 . The transaction card of claim 1 , wherein the glass member comprises conformable glass.
3 . The transaction card of claim 1 , wherein the at least one additional layer comprises a pair of opposite capping layers, wherein the partial glass layer is disposed between the pair of opposite capping layers.
4 . The transaction card of claim 3 , wherein the opposite capping layers comprise materials selected from the group consisting of: polymeric materials, ceramic, and glass.
5 . The transaction card of claim 1 , wherein the at least one additional layer comprises printed information or graphics.
6 . The transaction card of claim 1 , wherein the frame comprises metal.
7 . The transaction card of claim 6 , wherein the at least one additional layer comprises a booster antenna layer comprising a booster antenna physically or inductively connected to the payment module.
8 . The transaction card of claim 7 , wherein the at least one additional layer further comprises at least a non-metal base layer and one or more printed layers.
9 . The transaction card of claim 7 , further comprising a non-RF-impeding layer between the booster antenna and the metal frame.
10 . The transaction card of claim 6 , wherein the glass member has a first thickness and the frame has a second thickness greater than the first thickness, wherein the partial glass layer constitutes an outermost layer of the transaction card, and the frame defines a greater elevation on the surface of the card relative to the at least one additional layer than an elevation defined by the glass member.
11 . The transaction card of claim 1 , wherein the frame comprises a non-metal material.
12 . The transaction card of claim 11 , wherein the non-metal material comprises a material selected from the group consisting of: epoxy, FR4 ceramic, carbon fiber, and a plant-based material.
13 . The transaction card of claim 11 , wherein the frame defines an outer peripheral edge, a top surface, and a bottom surface, and the at least one groove is disposed on the top surface, the bottom surface, or a combination thereof, and radially inset from the outer peripheral edge.
14 . The transaction card of claim 1 , further comprising at least one protective layer over the partial glass layer.
15 . The transaction card of claim 1 , wherein the outer periphery of the transaction card is defined by a plurality of straight edges and corner regions, wherein the frame defines a plurality of frame widths between the frame outer periphery and the frame inner periphery along the respective plurality of straight edges, including a first frame width between the frame outer periphery and the frame inner periphery along a first edge that defines a card length, a second frame width between the frame outer periphery and the frame inner periphery along a second edge that defines a card width perpendicular to the card length, a third frame width between the frame outer periphery and the frame inner periphery along a third edge parallel to and opposite the first edge, and a fourth frame width between the frame outer periphery and the frame inner periphery along a fourth edge parallel to and opposite the second edge, wherein at least one of the plurality of frame widths is uniform along an entirety of the respective straight edge.
16 . The transaction card of claim 15 , wherein at least one of the plurality of frame widths is uniform along an entirety of the respective straight edge except in at least one tab portion that has a greater width between the frame outer periphery and the frame inner periphery than in a remainder of the entirety of the respective straight edge.
17 . The transaction card of claim 16 , comprising one or more electronic components disposed in the at least one tab portion.
18 . The transaction card of claim 17 , wherein the at least one tab portion consists of a singular tab portion on one edge and the one or more electronic components consists of a payment module.
19 . The transaction card of claim 16 , wherein the plurality of frame widths comprise a plurality of tab portions and the one or more electronic components are selected from the group consisting of: a payment module, a display screen, and a biometric sensor.
20 . The transaction card of claim 15 , wherein at least one of the frame widths has a variable width along the respective straight edge.
21 . The transaction card of claim 15 , wherein the card length is greater than the card width.
22 . The transaction card of claim 21 , wherein the corner regions are rounded and have a radius.
23 . The transaction card of claim 22 , wherein each of the plurality of frame widths has a respective uniform width along an entirety of the respective straight edge except in an optional tab portion that has a greater width between the frame outer periphery and the frame inner periphery than in a remainder of the entirety of the respective straight edge.
24 . The transaction card of claim 23 , wherein the respective uniform width of at least one of the plurality of frame widths is different than the respective uniform width of at least another of the plurality of frame widths.
25 . The transaction card of claim 23 , wherein the respective uniform width of the first frame width and the respective uniform width of the third frame width are equal, and the respective uniform width of the second frame width and the respective uniform width of the fourth frame width are equal.
26 . The transaction card of claim 23 , wherein the respective uniform width of the first frame width, the respective uniform width of the second frame width, the respective uniform width of the third frame width, and the respective uniform width of the fourth frame width are equal.